Shiraz Viognier 1998

1998 was a great year in the Canberra District, producing wines of tremendous ripeness and concentration.

The 1998 Shiraz Viognier demonstrates all the power and exuberance of the vintage with its opulent perfume of berries, ripe plums, cherries and spice with the 5% Viognier adding an intriguing floral note.

The palate shows rich, ripe, berry and spice flavours with a striking silky texture int he mouth and a lingering finish.

This is one of the great Clonakillas, an excellent follow up to the  '97.

A warm year with a long series of very warm days leading into vintage. Shiraz Viognier harvested from the 13th to the 17th of March, the earliest harvest on record at that point.

High sugars and rich, ripe flavours. Baumes between 14 and 15⁰.

5% co-fermented Viognier, one third whole bunches.

12 months in oak, 30% new Sirugue and Francois Freres.

New South Wales 1999 Wine of the Year.